Game Title: Enclave
Developer/Publisher: Starbreeze Studios / Topware Interactive
Release Date: March 10, 2003
Platforms: PC, Xbox
Genre: Action RPG / Hack-and-Slash

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As Kiba Snowpaw, an alpha ice wolf from the eternal snows of HowlStrom, I’ve played over 5,000 games in my 38+ years. So when Enclave finally showed up on Steam, I gave it a shot without the warm nostalgia others have. Spoiler alert: I struggled. This game is beloved by some for its classic mechanics and charm, but coming in fresh over two decades later? It’s a bitter winter storm to get through.

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Enclave splits its story into two campaigns—Light and Dark. The Light Campaign tasks you with defending the world of Celenheim, a stronghold of order and good, while the Dark Campaign flips the perspective, placing you in the role of a chaotic servant of Vatar. A giant rift has divided the world for centuries, but as it closes, these forces inevitably clash.

While this dual perspective is a neat concept, the execution leaves much to be desired. The narrative is paper-thin, told through clunky cutscenes and hilariously bad voice acting. Characters feel like cardboard cutouts reciting fantasy tropes—heroic knights, evil sorcerers, and smug archers. If you’re expecting a deep story, it’s not here. Think “budget fantasy epic” and you’re spot-on.

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Enclave thrives in its mix of action and exploration but stumbles when it comes to gameplay polish.

Combat: At its core, combat is hack-and-slash—swing weapons, block with shields, and heal with potions. It’s straightforward but rough. Melee combat lacks finesse, hitboxes are inconsistent, and ranged weapons like bows or staves are finicky to aim. Shields are essential for survival, but enemy attacks feel cheap rather than challenging.

Classes & Customization: There’s solid variety here. Across both campaigns, you can unlock 12 playable classes, including Knights, Archers, Mages, Assassins, and even summoners. Each class comes with unique weapons and playstyles, but not all are equal—mages are overpowered while assassins and rogues feel woefully underwhelming.

Progression & Exploration: Gold scattered throughout levels is key to progression, as it lets you “buy” better equipment before missions. However, dying resets your progress unless you hit a checkpoint—and checkpoints themselves cost gold. It’s an old-school design choice that adds tension but can be brutally punishing if you miss hidden loot. Levels are large and fun to explore, though backtracking for missed gold can feel tedious.

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For a game released in 2003, Enclave still has a gritty, dark-fantasy charm. Environments like castles, crypts, and lava caverns look atmospheric, with plenty of detail for their time. Starbreeze put effort into level design, and it shows, but the aging visuals are rough for modern eyes. Character models are blocky, and animations feel stiff.

The soundtrack is surprisingly solid, with epic orchestral themes that fit the setting. Unfortunately, voice acting drags the presentation down. Dialogue is either hilariously bad or painfully cheesy, to the point where I wasn’t sure if it was satire. Sound effects for combat are decent, but they repeat far too often.

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What I Liked:

• Two campaigns offering different perspectives.
  
• Class variety with unique abilities and weapons.
  
• Atmospheric medieval environments.
  
• Solid exploration with hidden gold rewards.

What I Didn’t Like:

• Frustrating combat—clunky hitboxes and unreliable ranged attacks.
  
• Brutal old-school difficulty with punishing checkpoints.
  
• Poor balancing—some classes feel useless.
  
• Laughable voice acting and shallow story.

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Enclave was well-received in 2003 for its visuals, class variety, and mix of combat and exploration. For players who grew up with it, the nostalgia makes its flaws forgivable. But coming in fresh? The lack of polish and frustrating mechanics hit like an unexpected blizzard. Compared to contemporaries like Dark Messiah: Might and Magic or Fable, Enclave feels like a lesser relic.

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Enclave has heart, and I respect what Starbreeze attempted here. It’s a dark, atmospheric action RPG with cool ideas like dual campaigns and varied classes. However, its clunky mechanics, poor balancing, and brutal checkpoint system make it tough for new players to enjoy. If you grew up playing this game, it might feel like returning to a cozy wolf den. But for those like me, who wandered in late? It’s a hard sell.

Verdict: 6.5/10 – For nostalgic warriors only. Fresh adventurers, tread carefully. 🐺❄️